DIPLOMACY

05.06.12

Hillary Goes to Bangladesh

Shannon Stapleton, Pool / AP Photo

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is traveling through Bangladesh after a three-day visit to Beijing that was largely overshadowed by the plight of activist Chen Guangcheng. The South Asian country is on edge after the disappearance of opposition leader Ilyas Ali. Clinton said the country’s political parties should take any violation of basic rights seriously. “Everybody [should] take seriously any disappearance, any violence against activist, any oppression against civil society, any intimidation of the press,” Clinton said Saturday. “That is just what is required in the 21st century if democracy is sustainable.” Opposition groups decided to suspend protests during Clinton’s 24-hour visit.